Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Lionel Scaloni's… - inkl
The Argentina World Cup 2026 squad is edging closer, as Lionel Scaloni's side step up preparations to retain their trophy
www.inkl.comHere’s the latest on Argentina’s World Cup squad, based on recent reports up to May 2026.
Direct answer
- Argentina named its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in late May 2026. Lionel Messi is included, with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez among the attacking options. Several veteran defenders remain, while there are notable omissions compared with the 2022 World Cup squad (including some players who featured prominently in earlier editions). Sources indicate Scaloni faced decisions over center-back pairings due to injuries and fitness concerns, and he balanced a mix of experience with rising stars.
Key takeaways
- Messi’s status: Messi is listed as part of the squad, signaling a likely final World Cup appearance, depending on fitness and selection decisions for individual matches.
- Defensive selections: The center-back lineup has been a focus due to injuries and form, with Scaloni weighing Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and others in training reports.
- Attack and midfield: The forward line features established scorers such as Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Lautaro Martínez, with depth provided by dynamic wingers and attacking midfielders. There has been discussion about including or excluding players like Franco Mastantuono or Alejandro Garnacho depending on form and tactical needs.
Context and noted changes
- The 2026 squad shows a shift from the 2022 World Cup champions, with several players from that title-winning group not in the final list this time, and several younger talents integrated into the squad to build for the future.
- Argentina are among the favorites to defend their title, with Scaloni aiming to optimize balance between defense solidity and attack potency.
What I can do next
- If you’d like, I can pull the exact final 26-man list and provide a side-by-side comparison with the 2022 squad, plus a quick map of group-stage opponents and match-by-match turnover possibilities. I can also create a simple chart showing starter likelihood based on recent selections, if you want a visual. Just tell me which format you prefer (text list, table, or chart).
Citations
- This summary reflects multiple reporting sources around late May 2026 detailing Scaloni’s final squad choices and discussions about injuries, defensive balance, and the return of Messi [web sources compiled in May 2026]. If you’d like, I can provide direct, sentence-by-sentence citations from specific articles.